Graduation goals too low?

Despite a persistent and national dropout problem, policymakers in Texas and many other states are setting low expectations for high school graduation rates, according to a new report from The Education Trust.

Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, states must set targets for improving high school graduation rates. Schools that fail to meet the targets may face sanctions.

But Ed Trust, a Washington think tank, reports that graduation goals vary widely from state to state and in some states – including Texas — any improvement over the previous year is often enough to satisfy the law.

“States have the discretion to set their own goals and targets,” the report states. “But rather than setting high expectations, the vast majority of states set them entirely too low, making it acceptable for schools to graduate low percentages of students.””

Right now a small percentage of Texas schools are dinged for failing to meet the graduation rate targets and tougher standards could mean more schools are hit with federal sanctions.

What do you think about the report? Should Texas tighten its requirements?